Simulated padded car roof cover

ABSTRACT

A vinyl covered fiberglass shell preformed to fit the roof of an automobile. The vinyl covered fiberglass shell simulates the appearance of a padded vinyl fiberglass roof cover without the use of padding. The fiberglass shell includes a series of recesses which are molded into the outer surface of the shell when the shell is first formed. The vinyl covering is then placed over the entire outer surface of the fiberglass shell including the recessed portions. Decorative pieces such as molding strips, decorative letters, and an emblem are placed over the vinyl covering in the location of the recesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for covering the roof ofan automobile and more particularly, is directed towards an unpaddedroof cover which provides the same appearance as a padded roof cover. 2.Description of the Related Art

Vinyl covered automobile roofs are known. As an alternative to affixinga vinyl cover directly to the regular roof of the automobile, it is alsoknown to secure a vinyl cover to a fiberglass shell which is preformedto fit over the roof of the automobile.

In applying such a vinyl cover to the fiberglass shell, it is customaryto interpose a layer of foam padding or the like between the fiberglassshell and the vinyl cover. This padding is used to enhance theappearance of the automobile by providing an automobile top with aluxurious, cushioned, padded appearance. To further improve theappearance of the automobile, decorative pieces such as molding strips,emblems and decorative letters can be placed on the vinyl cover. Theemblems and decorative letters not only add to the appearance of thecar, but function to identify the type of car.

However, this method of covering an automobile roof with a vinyl coveredfiberglass shell that has a layer of padding under the vinyl, suffersfrom several drawbacks and deficiencies. First of all, the necessity forinterposing padding is expensive and time consuming. The expense is aresult not only of the cost of the foam material itself but of theadditional labor costs in first having to affix the padding to thefiberglass shell before being able to attach the vinyl and decorativepieces.

Moreover, in order to attach the decorative pieces, portions of thepadding must be cut or carved out before the vinyl is attached. That is,a space corresponding to the particular decorative piece it is designedto accommodate must be created in the padding. This "carving out" of thepadding is time-consuming, expensive (labor costs) and is not a simpletask. Portions must be carved out, for example, along peripheralportions to accommodate molding strips as well as in center portions toaccommodate emblems and decorative letters. If these portions are notcut with precision, the decorative pieces will not fit properly andtherefore the objective of enhancing the appearance of the automobileroof will be defeated.

The complications involved in carving out portions of the padding arefurther highlighted by the fact that the carving out of the padding isdone at the post-manufacturing stage. Therefore, the installer of thevinyl cover, rather than the manufacturer of the fiberglass shell, mustcreate the spaces in the padding for accommodating the decorativepieces.

Therefore, a need exists for a simpler method of making a vinyl coveredfiberglass shell with a padded appearance that can accommodatedecorative pieces. That is, there exists a need for a vinyl coveredfiberglass shell which provides the same appearance as a padded vinylcar roof but which does not require a padding layer and thereforeovercomes the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the use ofpadding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems anddeficiencies in the art. The present invention provides an apparatus forcovering an exterior portion of an automobile roof which comprises meansfor simulating a padded vinyl automobile roof without the use ofpadding. The means includes a shell having an outer surface and an innersurface adapted to be secured to the exterior portion of the automobileroof, the outer surface having recess means formed therein, and a vinylcovering secured directly to the outer surface of the shell.

The recess means preferably comprises first and second recesses whereinthe first recess extends along a bottom peripheral portion of the outersurface of the shell and is adapted to receive a bottom decorativemolding. The second recess extends along a front side peripheral portionof the outer surface of the shell and is adapted to receive a sidedecorative molding. The apparatus may further comprise a third recessdisposed in the outer surface of the shell adapted to receive an emblemand a fourth recess disposed in the outer surface of the shell andadapted to receive decorative letters.

A decorative molding may be secured to the shell over the vinyl cover atthe location of the second recess and an emblem may be secured to theshell over the vinyl cover at the location of the third recess.

The shell, which may also include a side window opening and a rearwindow opening, is preferably made of a substantially rigid fiberglassmaterial preformed to fit the exterior portion of the automobile roof.The vinyl covering is preferably adhesively secured to the outer surfaceof the shell and preferably covers the entire outer surface includingthe recess means.

The present invention further provides a method of making a simulatedpadded top for an automobile roof. The method comprises the steps ofproviding a relatively rigid shell shaped to fit over the automobileroof, preforming in the shell at least one recess for receiving adecorative piece, and securing a vinyl cover directly over the rigidshell and the recess to thereby simulate a padded vinyl automobile roof.Preferably a first recess is formed in the outer surface of the shellfor receiving a decorative emblem and a second recess is formed in theouter surface of the shell for receiving a decorative molding strip. Therecesses are preferably molded into the shell when the shell is firstformed. An emblem may be secured to the shell over the vinyl cover atthe location of the first recess and a decorative molding may be securedto the shell over the vinyl cover at the location of the second recess.

The method may further include the steps of forming a side windowopening and a rear window opening in the shell when the shell is firstformed, and securing the shell to the automobile roof.

BRIEF DESCIRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention would be more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood from the following detailed description of the presentinvention when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a a padded car roof of the priorart;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the padded car roof of the prior arttaken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the padded car roof of the prior arttaken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a thesimulated padded car roof of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the simulated padded car roof of thepresent invention taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the simulated padded car roof of thepresent invention taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3illustrate a padded vinyl car roof of the prior art, and FIGS. 4-6illustrate a preferred embodiment of the simulated padded vinyl car roofof the present invention. The simulated padded vinyl car roof of thepresent invention obviates the need for placing a padding layer betweenthe vinyl cover and the fiberglass shell.

The Prior Art (FIGS. 1-3)

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the padded car roof of the priorart is indicated generally by reference numeral 10, and is shown mountedto the roof portion of an automobile rearwardly of the car door 19. Thepadded car roof 10 has a front edge 12, a bottom edge 13, a top 15, arear portion 14, a side window opening 16 and a rear window opening 17.

Normally secured to the exterior surface of the padded car roof 10 arefour decorative pieces 22, 24, 26 and 28. These decorative piecesinclude a side molding strip or top band 22, a bottom molding strip orbelt molding 24, decorative letters 26, and an emblem 28.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the padded car roof 10 of the prior art iscomprised of three layers: an inner fiberglass shell 18, a foam padding30, and an outer vinyl cover 20. The foam padding 30 is interposedbetween the vinyl cover 20 and the fiberglass shell 18 to provide theautomobile roof with a cushioned, padded appearance.

The foam padding 30 is secured to the entire outer surface of thefiberglass shell 18 and has, in the illustrated embodiment, four carvedout portions 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d to accommodate the decorative pieces22, 24, 26 and 28. Portion 34a, which is located along a regioncorresponding to the bottom peripheral portion of the fiberglass shell18, extends from the front edge 12 around the rear portion 14, and iscarved out of the foam padding 30 to accommodate bottom molding strip24. Portion 34b, carved out along the region corresponding to the frontside peripheral portion of the fiberglass shell 18, extends from thebottom edge 13 over the top 15 in order to receive the side moldingstrip 22. Portion 34c is carved out of the foam padding 30 in a regionadjacent the window opening 16 to receive the emblem 28, andlongitudinal portion 34d is carved out adjacent portion 34c toaccommodate the decorative letters 26.

Once the portions 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d are carved out of the foampadding 30, the vinyl cover 20 is secured, by adhesive, to the foampadding 30 except in the carved out portions 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d wherevinyl cover 20 is adhesively affixed directly to the fiberglass shell18. Overhanging portions of vinyl cover 20, represented by numerals 32and 36, are wrapped around the side window opening 16.

After attachment of the vinyl cover 20, the decorative pieces 22-28 aresecured to the vinyl cover 20 in the respective regions overlying thecarved out portions 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d of the foam padding 30. Thedecorative letters 26 may be secured to the fiberglass shell 18 by a setof three screws 38, and the emblem 28 is typically secured by adhesiveto the vinyl cover 20. Although FIG. 1 shows the "Designer Classic"decorative letters 26 and a "Pontiac" emblem 28, other decorativeletters and emblems may obviously be used to identify the automobile.

The decorative molding strips 22 and 24, made preferably of aluminum,are secured in a similar fashion to the vinyl cover 20 in the regionsoverlying the respective carved out portions 34b and 34a, typically by aseries of molding clips screwed into the fiberglass shell 18. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, side molding strip 22 extends from the bottomedge 13 over top 15. Bottom molding strip 24 is also curved as itextends from front edge 12 to rear portion 14. The side and bottommolding strips 22 and 24 are each preferably disposed a sligt distancefrom the front and bottom edge 12 and 13, respectively, so that aportion of the vinyl cover 20 adjacent these edges may be visible. Themethod of attaching the molding strips is set forth in further detail,for example, in E & G Classics, Inc. literature entitled "1985-86Cadillac Coupe DeVille Half Top Package--Installation Instructions andParts List" and in "1985 Buick Electra and Park Avenue Half Top PackageInstallation Instructions."

The padded car roof 10 is then secured to an exterior portion of anautomobile roof so that the front edge 12 is adjacent the door 19 of theautomobile, the rear edge 14 is adjacent the rear window of theautomobile, and the side window and rear window openings 16 and 17 arein overlying alignment with the rear side window and the rear window ofthe automobile, respectively. One method of securing the padded car roofto the roof of an automobile is also set forth in the E&G Classics Inc.literature mentioned above.

It should also be noted that the vinyl cover 20 and any or all of thedecorative pieces 22-28 can be affixed after, rather than before, thepadded car roof 10 is secured to the automobile roof.

The Present Invention (FIGS. 4-6)

Referring now to the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, asimulated padded car roof 42 is shown which eliminates the need for apadding layer between the vinyl and the shell, while still providing acushioned, padded appearance similar to that of the prior art.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the simulated padded car roof 42 is secured tothe roof of the car to the rear of car door 51, and includes a frontedge 44, a rear edge 46, a bottom edge 47, a top 49, a side windowopening 48 and a rear window opening 45.

As seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the two-layered car roof 42 of the presentinvention comprises an inner fiberglass shell 5 and an outer vinylcovering 52. There is no need for a padding layer and therefore no needto undergo the expensive, complicated and time consuming task of carvingout specific portions of padding to accommodate the decorative pieces.Instead, in accordance with the present invention, the fiberglass shell5 is preformed with a set of recesses 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d shaped toreceive four decorative pieces: a side molding strip 54, a bottommolding strip 56, decorative letters 58, and an emblem 60. The visualeffect of the recesses is to simulate the carved out portions of theprior art padding, thereby obviating the need for the paddingaltogether.

The four preformed recesses 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d are molded into theexterior surface of shell 50. The lower recess 62a preferably extendsadjacent the bottom peripheral portion of shell 50 from the front edge44 around the rear edge 46 to a rear portion of the shell and is shapedto receive the bottom molding strip 56. The side recess 62b, shown widerthan the lower recess 62a, preferably extends adjacent the frontperipheral portion of shell 50 from the bottom edge 47 over the top 49.The side recess 62b is shaped to receive the side molding strip 54. Bothlower recess 62a and side recess 62b are preferably formed a slightdistance inwardly from the bottom edge 47 and the front edge 44,respectively, so that the decorative molding strips, when attached, arenot touching these edges.

Small recess 62c is formed adjacent window opening 48 to receive emblem60, and longitudinal recess 62d is formed adjacent recess 62c to receivedecorative letters 58. As noted above, the illustrated letters 58 andemblem 60 are provided only as examples of decorative pieces since otherdecorative letters and emblems can be used. Obviously, recesses ofdifferent sizes or shapes as well as in different locations can bepreformed in the fiberglass shell 50 in order to accommodate varyingshapes and sizes of decorative pieces.

The vinyl covering 52 is secured, preferably by adhesive, to the entireexterior surface of the fiberglass shell 50, including the recesses62a-62d. Reference numeral 64 in FIG. 5 illustrates the overhang portionof vinyl covering 52 that extends over a fiberglass return 63 and iswrapped around bottom edge 47, and the overhang portion of vinylcovering 52 which is wrapped around a bottom portion of side windowopening 48. Reference numeral 66 of FIG. 6 illustrates the overhangportions of the viny covering 52 which are wrapped around opposing endsof side window opening 48. An overhand portion (not shown) of vinylcovering 52 is also preferably wrapped around front edge 44.

The decorative pieces 54-60 are secured over the vinyl covering 52 inthe location of the respective recesses 62a-62d. Preferably, bottommolding strip 56 is secured in the location of the lower recess 62a bymolding clips (not shown), side molding strip 54 is secured in thelocation of the side recess 62b also by molding clips (not shown),decorative letters 58 are secured in the location of the longitudinalrecess 62d by screws 68, and emblem 60 is secured in the location ofsmall recess 62c by adhesive. A more detailed discussion of thepreferred method of attaching the molding strips 54 and 56 and theemblem 60 can be found for example in E&G Classics Inc. literatureentitled "1985-86 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Half-top Package--InstallationInstructions and Parts List." The method of attaching decorative letters58 is described in E & G Classics, Inc. pamphlet entitled, "1985 BuickSomerset Regal, Oldsmobile Calais And Pontiac Grand Am [N-Body] Half TopInstallation Instructions and Parts List."

As illustrated in FIG. 4, side molding 54 is preferably L-shaped so thatit can extend over top 49 of simulated padded car roof 42. Bottommolding 56 is preferably curved so that it can extend around rear edge46 to the rear porion of the car roof 42.

The simulated padded car roof 42 is secured to the exterior portion ofthe automobile roof preferably in a manner set forth in theaforementioned E&G Classics, Inc. literature. Once secured, the frontedge 44 is disposed adjacent the door 51 of the automobile, the sidewindow opening 48 is disposed in overlying alignment with a side rearwindow of the automobile, and the rear window opening 45 is disposed inoverlying alignment with a rear window of the automobile.

The emblem 60 and molding strips 54 and 56 preferably are attached afterthe simulated padded car roof 42 is secured to the automobile roof,while the decorative letters 58 are preferably secured to the shellbefore it is attached to the car. However, any or all of thesedecorative pieces 54-60 may be attached to the shell either before orafter the shell is attached to the car. The vinyl covering 52 can alsobe secured either before or after the fiberglass shell 50 is attached tothe automobile roof.

The simulated padded car roof 42 of the present invention, when securedto the automobile roof, provides a similar cushioned, padded appearanceas the padded car roof of the prior art. However, it advantageouslyobviates the need for padding and therefore avoids all the problems anddisadvantages associated with the use of a padding layer.

It is understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative onlyof the principles of the invention. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein.

I claim as may invention:
 1. A cover for covering an exterior portion ofan automobile roof, comprising:means for simulating a padded vinylautomobile roof without the use of padding, said means including: (a) ashell having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surfaceof said shell adapted to be secured to the exterior portion of theautomobile roof; (b) recess means formed in said outer surface of saidshell; and (c) a vinyl covering secured directly to said outer surfaceof said shell.
 2. A cover as recited in claim 1, wherein said recessmeans comprises first and second recesses.
 3. A cover as recited inclaim 2, wherein said first recess extends along a bottom peripheralportion of said outer surface of said shell and is adapted to receive abottom decorative molding.
 4. A cover as recited in claim 3, whereinsaid second recess extends along a front side peripheral portion of saidouter surface of said shell and is adapted to receive a side decorativemolding.
 5. A cover as recited in claim 4, further comprising a thirdrecess disposed in said outer surface of said shell, said third recessadapted to receive an emblem.
 6. A cover as recited in claim 5, furthercomprising a fourth recess disposed in said outer surface of said shell,said fourth recess adapted to receive decorative letters.
 7. A cover asrecited in claim 1, wherein said shell comprises a substantially rigidfiberglass material preformed to fit the exterior portion of theautomobile roof.
 8. A cover as recited in claim 7, whrein said vinylcovering is adhesively secured to said outer surface of said shell.
 9. Acover as recited in claim 8, wherein said vinyl covering covers theentire outer surface of said shell including said recess means.
 10. Acover for covering an exterior portion of an automobile roof,comprising:means for simulating a padded vinyl automobile roof withoutthe use of padding, said means including: (a) a relatively rigidfiberglass shell preformed to fit the roof of the automobile, said shellhaving an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and secondrecesses; (b) said first recess formed in said outer surface of saidshell and adapted to receive a decorative emblem; (c) said second recessformed in said outer surface of said shell and adapted to receive adecorative molding strip; (d) a vinyl cover secured directly to saidouter surface of said shell and covering said first and said secondrecesses; (e) an emblem secured to said shell over said vinyl cover atthe location of said first recess; and (f) a decorative molding securedto said shell over said vinyl cover at the location of said secondrecess.
 11. A cover as recited in claim 10, wherein said shell furthercomprises a side window opening.
 12. A cover as recited in claim 10,wherein said shell further comprises a rear window opening.